Tent-support.



R. A. MODONALD.

TENT SUPPORT. APPLICATION FILED APB.1B, 191e.

1,090,738. Patented Mar.1v,1914

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R05? A. MCDONALD, Olli,` DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

TENT-SUPPORT.

To all 'whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, Roy A. MGDONALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of vWayne and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tent-Supports, of which the, following is a specification.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a support for tents which may be readily folded and extended, thereby adapting the same for different sizes Of tents and for variations in the dimensions of tents of a given size.

The invention consists of extensible uplrights, a foldable ridge pole and novel connecting means for securing the parts in the required adjusted position.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combinaltion of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing, forming a part lof the specification, Figure 1 is a side view of a tent support embodying the invention, showing the same as it appears when set up for use. Fig. 2 is a detail view, showing more clearly the joint between the sections lof an upright, the parts being illustrated on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the joint formed between the parts of the ridge pole. Fig. l is a detail view of one of the connectors.

Corresponding and like part-s are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawing, by the same reference characters.

The support comprises a ridge pole and like uprights, the ridge pole being foldable and the uprights extensible, thereby admitting of the support being reduced to a compact form for storage or handling.

The ridge pole comprises two parts or members 1 of like formation each having a vertical opening in its outer end to receive tenons 2 at the extremities of the uprights. The parts 1 when in line have their inner ends abutting. A bar 3 underlaps the inner ends of the parts l and extends an equal distance upon opposite sides of the joint. A plurality of connectors A couple the bar 3 to the inner ends of the parts 1. Each of the connectors consists of a band 4 and spaced lugs 5. The band e. encircles the bar 3, whereas the lugs 5 embrace opposite sides Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 18, 1913.

Patented Mar. 17, i914.

serial No. 762,000.

of the parts 1 and are connected thereto by means of pins or bolts 6. Two connectors are provided for each part l and they are arranged near the ends of the part l and bar 3. Links 7 connect the parts l to hold their inner ends in abutting relation, said links being secured to the parts 1 by means of the bolts or fastenings 6 utilized as connecting means for the inner parts A. When the bar 3 is in position the joint between the parts 1 is stiifened and strengthened to suoli an extent as to prevent the inner ends of t-he parts l from sagging or getting out of line. A pin 8 serves to prevent displacement of the bar 3 and passes through an opening therein and registering openings in the side members of one of the connectors A.

Each of the uprights comprises members 9 and 10, which have their inner ends overlapped and secured by means of connectors A such as hereinbefore particularly described. The connectors are pivotally secured to the members 10 by means of fastenings 6 passing through openings in the lugs 5. The bands 4t encircle the members 9. When the weight of the members 9 comes upon the connectors A the latter turn upon their pivot connections 6 with the members 10 and cause the inner and outer bars of the bands to bind against opposite sides of the members 9 and hold the same in the adjusted position. By proper manipulation of the connectors the members 9 may be raised or lowered to expand or contract the uprights as may be required.

It will be understood from the foregoing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing that the invention provides a support for portable tents which may be quickly set up or taken down and which when not in use may be reduced to compact form to economize space or facili'- tate handling, said support being adjustable to diiferent sizes of tents, whereby provision is had for allowing for shrinkage or for variation in workmanship.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claim appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

A ridge pole comprising alined parts with their inner ends abutting, a plurality of connectors for each of such connectors com prising a band and spaced lugs, the spaced lugs embracing opposite sides of the parts of the ridge pole, asteners passing through openings of the spaced lugs Vand parts of the ridge pole to secure the connectors thereto, links embracing opposite sides of the parts of the ridge pole o-pposite the joint formed between them and connected to such parts by the same fastenings employed for attaching the inner connectors thereto and a coupling and bracing bar underlapping the parts of the ridge pole and iitted in the the bands of the connectors.

In testimony wherof-Y aHX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Y ROY A. MGDONALD. Witnesses:

NORA CRONIN, ANNIE ECLARE.

Copies ot this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingy the Commissioner ot Patenti,

Washington, D. 0. i* Y 

